2017 – Time to reflect, a year in summary

I am a retired educator living in Nova Scotia Canada. I collect vintage and antique clocks that I repair and maintain. I also write about horological areas of interest, interesting clocks and clock stories when I search for new acquisitions. As most bloggers know the key to building a successful blog is not only attracting new … More 2017 – Time to reflect, a year in summary

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Westclox alarm clock – made in China….sigh!

You can still buy a brand new Westclox today and few people realize that the company was a pioneer alarm clock manufacturer. This is a nondescript Baby Ben clock; thousands were sold but unlike older alarm clocks made in the USA and made and/or assembled at the Peterborough plant in Ontario (Canada), this one was … More Westclox alarm clock – made in China….sigh!

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Merry Christmas everyone

During this festive season of giving, let us take time to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. May this wonderful time of the year touch your heart in a special way. Wishing you much happiness not just today, but throughout the New Year. If there is a clock under the tree consider … More Merry Christmas everyone

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The knocker upper – waking workers up in the industrial age

  We had a knocker-up, and our knocker-up had a knocker-up And our knocker-up’s knocker-up didn’t knock our knocker up So our knocker-up didn’t knock us up ‘Cos he’s not up. Source During the early days of the industrial revolution a certain practice lasted well into the 20th century. These were days before alarm clocks … More The knocker upper – waking workers up in the industrial age

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Crazy Clock ads

The ad reads; Probably housed an English bracket clock at one time. Case measures 15″ wide 17″ high and 7″ deep, one tiny bit of trim is missing., wood has great aged patina. $275 For $275 I would pass. It’s just a case!

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Setting up your modern tall-case (grandfather) clock

You’ve decided on a new location for your grandfather clock. Now it is time to set it up. Before you do anything ensure that the clock is level and preferably on a hard surface. Wood floors are great but carpeted floors are not optimal. There are 4 leveling wheels or points on the bottom of … More Setting up your modern tall-case (grandfather) clock

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Daniel Dakota clock – my clock runs too fast

Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clocks, issues you might have had and challenges you face and my responses to your questions with advice on your  particular clock concern(s). For those comments and questions that stump even me, I consult within my clock circles … More Daniel Dakota clock – my clock runs too fast

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Waterbury 30 hour Ogee clock – servicing Part I

My hope was that it would be a relatively straight forward exercise This is Part 1 of servicing this 30 hour Waterbury time and strike movement. I honestly thought it would be relatively straight forward exercise. Dis-assemble, clean the parts, polish the pivots, do a little bushing work and voila! Not so. I have worked … More Waterbury 30 hour Ogee clock – servicing Part I

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Halifax Explosion – December 6, 1917

Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada) was devastated on 6 December 1917 when two ships collided in the city’s harbour. Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion. On Dec. 6, 1917, the Belgian relief ship Imo rammed into the French munitions vessel Mont-Blanc, which was carrying TNT through the narrowest part of Halifax harbour. A fire on board … More Halifax Explosion – December 6, 1917

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Transporting your modern tall-case clock – a how to

Having moved modern grandfather clocks these are some useful some tips when transporting your clock. If you are unsure, a professional will certainly perform the service but consider the cost before you decide since you will pay travel time plus disassembly/set-up time, shop supplies and tax. A call to a professional is unnecessary if you … More Transporting your modern tall-case clock – a how to

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Waterbury Ogee (OG) 30 hour weight driven clock and why they are so undervalued

Why are these clocks so cheap? Discounting the wild prices some seem to be asking on online for-sale sites, a good example can be had for almost nothing. Why? Allow me to explain. This 30 hour time and strike Waterbury Ogee clock was discovered at an antique store an hour’s drive away. The store has … More Waterbury Ogee (OG) 30 hour weight driven clock and why they are so undervalued

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So you want to fix a mechanical clock – Part II – advanced tools

tools are essential for clock repair because they enable precision and accuracy, which are critical when working with delicate mechanisms and intricate components. Let’s identify the key reasons. Antique and vintage clocks can lose significant value if repaired improperly. Using the right tools minimizes the risk of damage, preserving their historical and monetary worth. The … More So you want to fix a mechanical clock – Part II – advanced tools

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Using a macro lens to photograph your clock

Clock collecting and repair allows me to combine my other hobby, photography with the world of horology. I have seen so many poor photos of clocks that I thought I would cover one small aspect of photography, macro photography. The following is a generalist approach to macro photography that is intended to allow the hobbyist … More Using a macro lens to photograph your clock

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E. N. Welch Whittier model parlor clock Part IV – final word

In a previous article I described some of the challenges I had with this E.N. Welch clock movement. The clock ran for about 48 hours and suddenly stopped. It seems that every time I think everything is going well, something else crops up.  I dis-assembled the movement (again) and installed three more bushings, one of … More E. N. Welch Whittier model parlor clock Part IV – final word

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Happy Halloween

Halloween is a contraction of All Hallows Eve. It is a celebration which is observed in a number of countries and begins the 3 day observance of Allhallotide, a time to remember the dead and the faithfully departed. Halloween includes trick or treating, going home to home in a guise or costume dressed up as … More Happy Halloween

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So you want to fix a mechanical clock – Part I – a beginner’s toolkit

Tools are essential for clock repair because they enable precision and accuracy, which are critical when working with delicate mechanisms and intricate components. Let’s identify the key reasons. Antique and vintage clocks can lose significant value if repaired improperly. Using the right tools minimizes the risk of damage, preserving their historical and monetary worth. The … More So you want to fix a mechanical clock – Part I – a beginner’s toolkit

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E. N. Welch Whittier model parlor clock Part III – more issues than anticipated

This is perhaps the dirtiest movement I have ever worked on This is perhaps the dirtiest movement I have ever worked on. The case, tablet and dial face are in beautiful condition and nicely preserved requiring little or no work at all to restore to its former glory but the movement is another story. A … More E. N. Welch Whittier model parlor clock Part III – more issues than anticipated

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Kundo 400 day clock and why I love anniversary clocks – Part II

I have never paid more that 30CDN for one but I see these clocks selling on EBay and other online for-sale sites at twice and three times what I typically pay This a is Part II of a two part series on repairing a 400 day clock. Part I can be found here. I have … More Kundo 400 day clock and why I love anniversary clocks – Part II

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Crazy Clock Ads – anniversary clocks – you decide, sadly illiterate or cleverly deliberate

400 Dayz, Heirloom Aniversry Clocks Yoo may chooz clock 3 for ohnly 135$ or 2 for ohnly $185 or 3 for ohnly 235$ or all for jist 350$. Theze 400-day Clocs are in ecselent condishn and reecwire NOH electrisitee and thus NOH batreez, , jist wiinding wunts each year, for constant, dependable time-keeping, noh mater … More Crazy Clock Ads – anniversary clocks – you decide, sadly illiterate or cleverly deliberate

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